monteverde California s freeway signs frequently indicate direction by naming a town rather than a point on the

California s freeway signs frequently indicate direction by naming a town rather than a point on the compass. If you ve never heard of Canoga Park, you might be in trouble unless you have a map. The best state road guide is the comprehensive Thomas Guide California Road Atlas, monteverde a 300-pluspage book of maps with schematics of towns and cities statewide. It costs about $25, a good investment if you plan to do a lot of exploring. Smaller, accordion-style maps are handy for the state as a whole or for individual cities and regions; you ll find a very useful one inserted in the back of this book.

FRENCH Euro transplants love Caf Claude, a crowded and lively restaurant tucked monteverde into a narrow (and very European feeling) side street near Union Square. Seemingly everything every table, spoon, saltshaker, and waiter is imported from France. With prices topping out at about $18 on the menu, featuring classics like steak tartare, steamed mussels, duck confit salad, escargot, and New York steak with spinach gratin and crisp potatoes, it s a great deal. There is live jazz on Saturday from 7:30 to 10:30pm. Atmospheric sidewalk seating is available when the weather permits. 7 Claude Lane (off Sutter St.). & 415/392-3515. www.cafeclaude.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $12 $18. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon 11:30am 5:30pm; Tues Thurs 11:30am 10pm; Fri Sat 11:30am 10:30pm. Cable car: Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde lines.